Biography

Derek Thompson is the grandson of artist Makinti Napanangka from the Papunya Tula community. He first came to work at Ernabella Arts in April 2011, during the first ceramics workshop reserved for men. Everyone was impressed by Derek's clay drawing, who explained that he drew "all the time, at home" when he wasn't hunting. The transposition of his drawings of the Pukatja landscape and animal life onto ceramics is quite unique. The designs on this vase represent the formation of large salt lakes in the Northern Territory.

In 2012, Derek was a finalist in the Gold Coast International Ceramic art Award. He also obtained a residency at the Ceramic Workshop at the Australian National University, where he did poetry and printmaking. In 2013, his work 'Ngintaka Kutjara' was highly noticed as part of the Muswellbrook Art Prize where it was acquired by the Muswellbrook Regional Gallery. Since then, his works created in collaboration with ceramicist Ngunytjima Carroll have been selected for the NATSIAAs (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards), the Sunshine Coast Art Prize and the City of Hobart Art Prize.

Ngunytjima shapes large ceramics on which Derek draws, using the sgrafitto technique. The principle is simple: we apply a colored slip to a raw piece. Once the slip is dry, we will engrave a pattern or design by revealing the earth under the slip. The decoration is formed by the difference in color between the slip and the earth. This operation takes place before firing and glazing.

Founded in 1948, Ernabella Arts is one of Australia's oldest Aboriginal arts centres. Ernabella Arts is located in the community of Pukatja, at the eastern edge of the Musgrave Ranges in the far north of Australia. Musgrave Ranges, far northwest of South Australia. The art center is known for strong and diverse artistic production in the fields of painting, ceramics, tjanpi (fiber sculptures) and punu (carved wooden objects).